SECRETARY'S REPORTChris Slater opened the meeting and thanked all attending, some travelling from as far away as Cornwall. She said that she understood travelling was difficult, but it would be nice to see more people attending. She said that if no items for the agenda were received then everyone must be satisfied with the way things are run. She also thanked all who had been involved in Rescue, Breed Clubs for their donations and allowing stalls at their shows and not forgetting the fund-raisers, without them we would not be able to do all we do to make dogs' lives better.Sadly, most of the collies now coming into Rescue have issues. She thought computers had made it easy to advertise and find homes for unwanted dogs, but if this proved difficult they passed them on to Rescue.Since the last A.G.M. 35 dogs had found new homes, 25 are being cared for on permanent foster and 5 were waiting for a new home.Finally, she asked if anyone in the West Country could help out as it is a huge area and there are only two people who cover it at the moment.

TREASURER'S REPORTOver the year we have held our own. Vet fees, boarding and fostering costs were down, sundries were down, but most of all fundraising was up. The Sponsored Walk did so well we managed to claw back the money we were down last year. On the down side, a lot has been paid out in the last three months and not a lot paid in, but with Christmas Card and Calendar sales and other things we should be able to hold our own in 2018.​CHAIRMAN'S CLOSING REMARKS​The Chairman commented again on the fact we had clawed back the loss we made last year.He then thanked the Secretary for all the hard work she put in, even though it sometimes stopped him from using the telephone !He gave special thanks to Pauline Bradbury and her band of helpers for there organisation of Collie Chaos and the Sponsored Walk around Carsington Water.He also thanked Samantha Hale for all she does to make life a little easier for the Secretary, and said it would be very remiss of him not to thank Annette Rebmann for her work on the Website and preparing and editing the Newsletter and Margaret Birch for her organisation of the Sponsorship Scheme, which brought in quite a lot of revenue.Last, but not least, he gave thanks to everyone who re-home, home check new families and transport dogs around the country. Without all of you, there would not be a Collie Rescue and then what would happen to the breed.

Tyler arrived here on Valentines Day & was subsequently named Tyler Valentine.

As soon as her feet touched the kitchen floor it was obvious her blindness did not bother her, or slow her down. There was no bumping into furniture like Buddy had when he arrived. We had been told Tyler was house trained. Oh yeah! I was so glad it was Steve who had insisted I telephone Sam to say Tyler could come to live here. Little parcels and puddles began to appear everywhere. Carpets were covered in newspapers. and Tyler soon let us know which newspapers she preferred! Regular trips out on to the lawn were organised, the trouble was Tyler preferred to run about on the lawn like a lunatic than do what she was supposed to be doing! The trips outside became more frequent, often with Buddy for company. Buddy had accepted Tyler's arrival with a disgruntled look on his face but despite Tyler playfully attacking him, he never growled or snapped at her. Tyler soon learned the words "Tyler, NO!"

A huge crate was installed in the kitchen for Tyler to sleep in, but she soon let us know she did not like this arrangement. Sleepless nights became the norm, as did trips outside at 2 am, 3 am,4 am! However, after 6 days, Tyler was getting the message of what these visits to the lawn were supposed to be for.

Our living room began to look as if it had been bombed, her favourite game is to bring anything she can find out of the kitchen in to the living room! Tammy the cat soon put Tyler in her place, and anything that moved, or didn't move, was fair game to Tyler! Feeding time became a relay, Tyler in the crate, feed the cat and Tyler and Buddy's food was put down at night while Tyler was in the crate.

A week after Tyler arrived, an appointment at the vets was arranged to check Tyler and to register her. The vet weighed her and said she was almost 9.8 kilo. He suggested a referral to an Opthalmic Specialist as her paperwork stated she had suspected CEA and an appointment has been arranged for 6th March. If she is blind, it certainly doesn't stop her trying to lead a normal life.

We compare Buddy who had sight when he was born, to Tyler who has never had sight. Within 24 hrs Tyler was climbing the kitchen step which took Buddy over 2 weeks to master. Tyler, Buddy & Tammy are now the best of friends, Tyler just needs the occasional reminder from them that they will not tolerate being pounced on! Tyler's zest for life is unbelievable and very tiring, but we love her to bits. Pauline Bradbury

Meet Smudge..........Smudge was rescued safely on Friday 13th December and taken directly to a vet before going to a temporary home over the Christmas and New Year period where all his problems were addressed. He will not be released from this home until he is 100% fit and healthy. He was in very poor condition .... badly infected eyes, appalling teeth (which will need an operation as soon as possible) and a terrible skin condition. He is also suffering from arthritis in multiple joints. He was given antibiotics for his eyes, skin scrapings were taken to check for fleas and mites, a blood test done for liver and kidney function as well as thyroid ... these results should be back this week and if stable enough then we can progress with sorting his teeth out ... and also anti-inflammatory / pain killers for the arthritis.........Annette Rebmann, Rough and Smooth Collie Rescue UK

Update 21st December......Smudge got home around half 5pm last night from the vets, feeling very sorry for himself. As expected he is very disorientated, grumpy, sleepy (but won't give in) but he will be fine. Vet said his teeth were terrible, clogged with loads of tarter and very sore for him but now he has pearly white teeth and only lost one little front bottom one, his nails are cut, ears/eyes cleaned (he has conjunctivitis but eye drops will soon sort that) he has had complete belly and bum shave (bless him) and his Arthritis drugs have been sorted...so now it's onwards and upwards, after couple of days rest he will get his first bath in 7 years to sort out his sore/bad skin problem and a damn good groom. We say from the bottom of our hearts thank you for all your lovely comments and concerns and Iwill keep you updated and after his wash and brush up I will take some photos. Thank you all who have donated to his care and those I have not thanked personally ......sorry! and I will get round to it. you have all been amazing, the biggest thank you go's to Rough and Smooth Collie Rescue, especially Sam and Annette, Smudge sends you all huge kisses. He will also now be known as 'Fudge', and will be staying in his present foster home here with us......Sheila Payne xxx